50 soldiers. That's the unit cap in the GBA Fire Emblems. Honestly seems kinda small-ish on this map. It is also all we're getting for trying to get the last few level ups to confirm the Transfers. I think there are few Paladin reinforcements from behind Ashnard, but I finish before they appear.
Here are Ashnard's numbers, and what numbers they are. Renewal and Daunt (thank goodness he has no Skill to up his damage!), Gurgurant innately protects him from crits as well as being an awesome 1-2 sword, and massive Strength and Defence to make crossing swords with him quite perilous. Interesting that he has an axe rank, though, and laugh at that luck!
This is Bryce, and he's a fairly standard General boss but for his Guard skill to be moderately annoying. The Wishblade is the S Rank Lance, giving 1-2 range as well as being the cause of that +3 Luck, but he seems to prefer to drop a Speedwing over it.
This fellow has the Sleep staff, and also seems to have snagged himself a copy of the ultimate Light magic, Rexaura. He also doesn't seem interested in dropping it, but honestly, once we've passed this guy, what is Rhys going to do with it?
These are what the dragons look like. Some more Res scores backing them up, but otherwise the same as the ones we met at Gritnea. Just hurty.
Oh yeah, and these two swordmasters have Adept. Just casually hiding in the stat menu. Also in Skills, Bryce's two General friends have Guard as well as the man himself.
Are we prepared for this one? I really like Congregation of Ambition, but I don't think it's quite a final map composition? Fits the more down-to-earth scale that is Ashnard.
Ike is used to this sort of thing. It helps that he won't be fighting.
Nothing but the idea of somehow keeping our skill levels in three year's time in some abstract, mechanical way.
We have credits to roll.
Ready yourself, Elincia.
I call for help, but not because I need it. No, I need the EXP too much.
I send them to Ashnard. I think you know where this is going.
So about that one use Bolting tome? How about a repair? Elincia breaks out Hammerne.
Not that I use it yet. Also, all three staff users going up the middle, thank goodness they all have Physic.
Even Marcia's going up the middle, preparing herself for Bryce.
...Oh yeah, these guys. Bryce's guys might have something to say to them.
Like that, for instance.
This might, might, have been scary. Somewhat. Luckily, the dragon on this side doesn't like attacking on Turn 1 for some reason.
Just keep beating up the Holy Guard, why don't you? Good thing I get a second call, otherwise I might miss what I wanted to show.
None of them went for Marcia.
The dragon on this side will attack on Turn 1. I really don't get what stops the other one.
Thanks to the Laguzguard and Jill's massive Defence, the dragon does that little damage.
And that's what Jill does back with an Effective axe.
Coward.
You say that.
In Normal Mode, you get the choice of one of these characters to appear on Turn 3 and help you murder your way to and through Ashnard. All three of them can break Ashnard's blessing. You may notice that all of them are men. We won't be using this.
For the sake of showing it in action, though, I call Naesala. He has a Coin in his inventory, and Coins are affected by Data Transfer. Yes, this is a factor in my decision, despite how rarely I use Coins.
You do how much damage to a dragon with a Laguzslayer?
At least you don't get hit by it.
Calill justifies her Elthunder tome and takes it out.
This is a lot of "wasted" EXP because of Ilyana's level cap, but there isn't really much of a clean solution here.
A storm is brewing, Bryce.
That is a lot of thunderbolt.
Ilyana gets hit on the way back.
Ah, Bryce. You shall be noted on the bottom of some report somewhere. Bryce has only three conversations, and while I'll save Ike's for later, Ena's and Tauroneo's are worth mentioning.
Bryce: Ena… You, too, have had your fate warped by the king. You should pray that you at least know peace in your final moments.
...Well, at least it's worth keeping in mind for the ending. Interestingly, Bryce has no comment for Nasir.
Bryce: Ah, Tauroneo… I see that you have found another path to follow. Perhaps you were inspired by my old friend Gawain.
Tauroneo: Tell me, Bryce. Beyond mountains of corpses, what do you see Ashnard bringing to the future of this place?
Bryce: …I see nothing, save for a land of absolute darkness and terror.
Tauroneo: Then why fight by his side?
Bryce: Some men can change, Tauroneo. Others cannot… I am of the latter type. There is no other reason.
Another bit of Bryce that hits right in the gut of Three Houses and Faerghus. There is nothing stopping Bryce from following in his old friends' examples and abandoning Ashnard- all three of the other Riders have done so. And yet, all Bryce has that is keeping him fighting for Ashnard... is oudou- the knowledge that this is the easy road, the king's road.
Still, though, that must suck for Tauroneo.
Yes, that will fix the problem if Ilyana gets hit by a physical weapon again.
Ena steals Bryce's Speedwing and uses it.
...Jill, I really don't have time for this, did you have to miss him twice?
Astrid uses Lethe to finish this guy off, before standing in a chokepoint with a bow.
What, again? At least you have an excuse this time.
Elincia fixes up the Sonic Sword.
And Mist fixes up Ilyana's spinal cord.
Yeah, so much for this guy.
And that General gets healed by this Bishop. Better him than the dragon.
Sleep staffing the Holy Guard, cunning. It fails.
...Oh yeah, they can fire over Astrid to Lethe.
Ow.
Yeah, this guy is not going to last long.
This swordmaster was not doubled by Nephenee.
Calill casually dodging a swordmaster like nobody's business.
...And doubling it without Adept. I think this one came defective, Ashnard!
Some Ferals come out to play.
Don't worry, you can find the most convenient hidey-hole you can.
Tibarn: Sorry to have kept you waiting. But now that I'm here, you can breath easier. I promise you that King Daein will fall at my hands.
Giffca: I have answered your call. So, Daein's elite soldiers are giving you some trouble, are they?
Yay. Yes, I am remembering that every time Lethe heals with Renewal, it's because I didn't recruit Reyson. I don't know how I feel about that.
Calill finishes off the Feral who didn't die to the first volley, and makes sure she gets Strength and Resistance for her Transfers.
Tanith taps the Swordmaster, since she can fly ahead.
These three (yes, even the Warrior) will feed Tanith some more.
Nephenee goes to the top wing to find her EXP.
Marcia pulls out Luin to bust through the top. Well, to the dragon, but we need something to get past him.
And a nice Guard on the guy with Guard, to boot! That also means we didn't have to worry about failing the kill.
And Ilyana can weaken it to the point someone else can get the kill.
Oh right, she's Ilyana, no she can't.
Astrid has had enough of this Physic Bishop.
He also gives us his Physic. Sure, I... I guess.
It's worth a shot!
No luck. Figured.
Elincia slaps a sage, and is slightly dented.
Oh, right, someone is still gaining levels.
I don't use the Laguz Axe to finish this guy off. No reason not to- there's two laguz and one beorc behind him- but at least this is 100 Hit this time.
Also a crit.
Naesala takes off his Laguz Band, in a show of how much I'm not using this guy.
This could've been inconvenient.
Crap.
Crap.
I think Elincia deserves some kind of award for this.
Shiharam serves Jill well.
Also Stuns. This is a still of Stun I've taken.
And the Tiger stops her progress.
Tanith gets a redundant crit. Tanith.
Yeah, whatever.
There's more than one way to silence an enemy staffbot.
You ever wonder if Jill needs a Full Guard?
Just what can't Jill do to avoid the problem of archers?
Apparently, gain stats.
In the most cunning gambit of all time, Lucia holds a chokepoint.
Wow, the Vague Katti is critty as hell. Better than a coinflip's odds of deleting this man.
Wish I could say the same of Marcia.
Elincia finishes.
Ena would like to score some EXP too.
She will remember this damage, question mark.
Nephenee wants to be a little closer than this.
Mist scoring redundant crits with 3% odds.
Nephenee scoring non-redundant crits with a Killer spear.
Astrid decides Lucia might want Espionette on her for the second tiger.
And Lethe pushes Nephenee even closer.
Now Tanith calls for the second set of Holy Guard.
It's always Lethe.
Now then, Lucia...
She's critting.
But not doubling. Also ow.
Well, that feels better.
Working our way through these Halberdiers.
That's how many empties now?
OK, either I crit again or I heal first. That Warrior has too low a Hit rate to worry about.
Ilyana covers healing duties.
And she gets the crit, preventing the need for a second heal.
That Guard might've been nice if he wasn't critted.
Think your Brave Sword makes you so tough?
Why did Mia get the Brave Lance guy?
And why did Mist have to finish him?
Oh hey, another swordmaster whom I'm not sure belongs in this elite, handpicked battalion. Venin Edge.
Yeah, Lucia's not worried.
Elincia considers a Rescue, but thinks of a better idea.
Well, first, we've gotta finish this fight, obviously.
Jill sits here, more or less waiting for the next plan. Notably, she is no longer in front of Elincia.
So Lethe can give her a boost.
Now Ena gets Rescued.
That point in Speed is surprisingly necessary.
Ena is going to feed on these Paladins some.
Mist finds another kill to make her own.
And Ilyana gets rid of that guy with a siege tome behind him.
The Holy Guard haven't quite made it to Ashnard.
Although this one has baited the archers.
The poor marksmen.
Ena does not kill the Paladins. Some of them have Vulneraries.
Marcia finally finds enough kills to get her level. That's everyone.
Ena gets a level of her own. At least it was everything but Strength? I think Strength is more important, though.
Ena kills this guy, since he has a Vulnerary.
Ashnard says this if you get close enough to him on Normal Mode.
He's still just as mad as ever.
The fliers come up to get rid of some archers.
Shiharam is really effective at that.
Mia finishes this swordmaster. That's actually a chance of dying right there, if a very low one.
...I mean, a level for her?
Lucia gets a heal, for some reason. Not sure who's doing it.
Ike gets dropped, mostly because I want to Direct the Holy Guard away from Ashnard next turn.
And Jill gets a more necessary heal.
These two cowards share their Vulnerary in the corner.
This is what I wanted to show. I love that Ashnard says this quote to the nameless Holy Guard. It's his generic quote for any beorc other than his designated boss dialogues.
These paladins all find the Holy Guard.
Which sucks, because I was planning on Ena reverting this turn. No matter, it can be worked around.
Elincia flies up and... Rescues?
Mist is going to lend a hand up here. And yeah, let's use the Runesword this time.
I missed the hit animation, but here's the HP return one.
Jill crits the second.
And Marcia is the one to take the third.
Tanith lugs Ike up. It might be cheating, but there's a reason.
Ilyana heals a Holy Guard for... Staff EXP?
The last Vulnerary is used. The other Paladin is going to say hi to Mia.
...Oh, I left Mist in range of Ashnard, didn't I? Oops.
Ashnard just keeps craving a steady diet of war. Really, could he be blamed for every single lost life in this one?
Mist, a 15 year old girl, is not even worth the calories it takes for Ashnard to swing that massive sword.
Mist makes a bid for the medallion.
Ashnard connects the dots.
"And I'll do a better job than my big bro!"
Sadly, those special privileges do not extend to dealing damage.
Happily, they also do not extend to taking it. Mist could have taken this hit if she wanted- but only if she was in Support range of Jill.
...This animation just does not want to be shown, does it?
Oh, now this is just ridiculous.
Another chance for Elincia's angry face.
You do not get to decide that.
Your purpose here is not to defeat him, but to unravel his philosophy and establish a new one. ...OK, close enough.
Times like this I wish Amiti could slap Ashnard.
"Allowed to live". Man, Ashnard, making your philosophy loud and clear.
Elincia did need to dodge this, that's why Tanith brought Ike along for the extra Avoid.
And Ashnard appears to have met another wyvern.
Because of him, Petrine, just the office of Daein in general.
All for nothing.
Ashnard does not care about this sort of logistics thing.
Because Petrine really needed something positive to report to her beloved King.
Does Ashnard look like the man to memorise the names of his soldiers?
And asks Jill move along.
He's found Jill's button, though.
Yeah, get in line. You'd think, with her Strength stat, that she could just break his armour with that concentrated rage.
Jill does not dodge Gurgurant. She tanks it like a champ, though. Fun fact: she didn't actually need the heal to do that.
Ena uses a Laguz Stone. We need her transformed for this.
Mia finishes that Paladin that wandered over.
And now it's Ena's turn to take a crack at Ashnard.
No. But she can.
That is not an answer to his question. Yes, this is a relevant observation.
This conversation is really a conversation that only makes sense if you understand Ena's motivations.
This response, though, is the first sign that perhaps Ena wasn't talking about Ashnard this whole time...
"...Eventually!"
The other Paladin got up here, and that's right next to Ike. I notice that this happens to be just enough for one trusty trick.
Elincia, Marcia and Tanith scored the Triangle Attack last mission!
No battle animation, just like Rolf's. I guess that wasn't a mistake on my end.
Yay.
Ena dodged the first hit. Honestly, I wish she didn't, but oh well, Ena attacking first is just as good.
Ena wants to be hit.
And all the damage Ena just did is erased by Renewal. If it weren't for my ace in the hole, I would be softlocked out of victory.
Being brought to less than half health has triggered Ena's Resolve and Wrath.
Taste double crit from +14 Strength, madman!
Wrathsolve Ena is the only solution to All Girls Path of Radiance without cheating. She can make do without Wrath, sorta, but you've gotta give her Resolve. At least you can't be tempted to hand Resolve out before you get her. Whoever made it so Wrath broke through crit negation is all right in my book.
In death, Ashnard is excited about a challenger to his power, but sounds kinda disappointed? What more could you want, madman?
At last... Ashnard has been taken down.
Those are some odd choices to fill out this image. Also, the gardens Mist is standing in are much simpler than in the battle map.
Ena was precise with her breath, it seems.
Rajaion tries to get to his feet, for want of a better word.
Yeah, she's not listening.
Rajaion looks up, and lunges at Ena.
I've brought Nasir along into this, because he fills in a few key details in this conversation.
Rajaion is Ena's lover.
This. Recontextualises. Everything about Ena. Every desperate bid to get to Ashnard's side is to get to Rajaion, not him.
...
"Rajaion gets restless when Ena draws near" sounds a lot different now.
[Say, Brother...]
[That dragon with the big wings... I wonder if he's a laguz.]
Well, it'd be weird if he wasn't.
At no point was this ever suggested by the game, other than the fact that it's blindingly obvious. I mean, who would ride a Goldoan dragon around like a wyvern?
[I can't tell for sure, but it feels that way.]
I wonder where wyverns come from, and how one goes about telling a wyvern from a dragon tribe. I imagine most people haven't gotten practice at the trick.
Reyson: [If he is a laguz, the transform galdr may restore him to normalcy.]
Leanne: [Then let us sing.]
The transform galdr? One way of looking at it.
Reyson has a plan.
Reyson and Leanne sing a galdr.
Hello, Rajaion. He looks awful, but at least he still has enough of a shirt for his portrait.
This is one of those images you never get to see because the character only talks with headshots.
The galdr of rebirth is the only thing that will ever cure a Feral One in this duology.
He seems to be a little lost.
Ah, he recognises his fiancee after all.
Depending on how aware of his surroundings Rajaion was as a Feral One, it's possible he didn't know what lengths Ena went to.
Aw...
...Rajaion?
This scene might have a bit of a misleading outcome. What happened here is that Rajaion died in Ena's arms. In Radiant Dawn, it will be taken as a given that Rajaion is dead when he becomes relevant. One thing I often see posited is that this is more obvious in the JP, but from my impression of the script, it is just that- more heavily implied. At no point do the characters explicitly say Rajaion has died.
Would you believe me if I told you there was more to this story? For one thing, ask yourself what Rajaion was doing in Ashnard's reach in the first place.
Mist has gone and wandered off.
She found it!
This is part relief, and part Mist preparing for her next thought.
There's something we have to do with it.
[Hm? What is it, Mist?]
It's time to give the medallion back to its rightful owners.
[The medallion.]
It's probably for the best that this be kept where there are more Order people and less Chaos people.
[Thank you, little Mist.]
You're welcome.
At this point, your file is basically done. If you proceed and watch the Epilogue scene, there will be no additional save prompt before you're returned to the title screen, so your file is locked into just watching the epilogue, credits, and records.
Next time: We watch that Epilogue scene.
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